Debbie Molnar
,@dmolnar
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I recently adopted a 9 year old cat. He is very affectionate and loves to be pet but he won’t allow me to pick him up or hold him. I haven’t forced the issue, but someday he’s going to need a nail trim or medicine. How do I get him comfortable with being picked up and handled? The rescue paperwork notes the prior owner couldn’t pick him up either. He’s been to the vet and physically he is fine.
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If it helps a puppy to grow up with another puppy does the same hold true for kittens? Will cats be happier and better adjusted if they have a sibling? Does it help to get 2 from the same litter or should they be unrelated?
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Sarah We had a few “pairs” in our lifetime- meaning they were from the same litter. Never had an issue- all three times, they were really nice, affectionate and all around good pets. I have heard of littermate syndrome in dogs, which can prove to be a challenge, but I do not think the same holds true for cats. I will say that a kitten is a lot of work- box training, house rules, scratching, etc. so keep in mind that is all double duty when bringing two in at the same time. Best of luck!!
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Laura I’ve never had kittens, so I cannot speak to this part of your question. I do know quite a bit about dogs, however, and I would NEVER suggest getting two littermates in dogs. Ever. This causes some serious developmental issues – littermate syndrome and dog aggression are but two of them.
Are heart worm preventatives necessary for cats living in the Northeast?
If so, does a cat needed to be tested for heart worm before you begin a preventative like Revolution?
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
This is a topic full of much debate. Most of the vet specialists feel that we should not overlook or ignore the possibility and prevention of heartworms in cats. Typically we do not test for it before using a preventative, like Revolution as most positive cats have very few worms and there is a greater chance of getting a false negative on a test.
Is there a technique to reduce the side effects of Mirtazapine? My 9lb cat takes 1/16th of a 15mg tablet every 5-7 days. She meows and howls for 12 hours after each pill.
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
Have you spoken to your vet about this? Can you try a different appetite stimulant (assuming that is what you are using it for) to see if maybe that would help? Also ask about concurrent disease like thyroid, blood pressure, kidney diseas etc? -
Debbie Molnar Post author Hi, thank you for the response. Yes, the vet knows, and it is being used as an appetite stimulant. The cat has IBD. I was just hoping there was some way to lessen the side effects, the dosage has been reduced over time. It used to be 24 hours of hysterics. It may be time to try something else.
I have a 14 year old cat who is a seasonal vomiter. She rarely has an issue October – April, but the vomiting becomes frequent May – September. I held off on her topical flea treatment this year thinking that may be the cause but the vomiting started in May as usual. She vomits food, grass, and fur; there can be as many as 9 events per month. This is the 3rd year in a row this has happened. What could be the cause?
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Laura What has your vet done so far for diagnostics?
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Debbie Molnar Post author Just blood tests, and they always come up normal.
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Laura I would worry that something else is wrong. Could this be allergies? Could she be getting into something outside? Have you considered keeping her inside due to her age? You *may* be able to better contain her vomiting if you can control the environment more closely.
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Debbie Molnar Post author I hadn’t thought about allergies, are there any common outdoor cat allergies I should watch out for? When she’s outside she’s always on a leash so I can kind of control her, but every once in awhile she’ll get her mouth on some grass. I don’t use pesticides and none of my neighbors within a half mile of my house use lawn pesticides. The cyclical nature of the vomiting is what confuses me. She’s at her worst May and July, but ok June and August. You’d think she would be exposed to the same things all 4 months.
Hello,
I think a few things help. One and foremost, all good things happen in your presence. For example. Feeding happens near you. And should always be associated with you talking and being present. Next if you can touch him I would scruff and start to pet him to the point he relaxes so he is sort of forced to accept you. Now this is not a perfect plan. If he cannot be touched you should cage him and not allow him to hide and avoid you. My point is every cat is different and every persons expectation is different. If you want him to love you you have to prove to him that you are kind and loving and trustworthy. It means he doesn’t decide to avoid you. You decide to help him through his fears. Does this make sense?
Thank you for the response. He’s fine with everything but being picked up and held. I can pet him all over, rub his tummy, and play with his feet just don’t try and pick him up. He’ll sit on my lap for hours at a time and purr, it’s just when he feels 2 hands on him you can feel him tense up. I’ll give your suggestions a try.
Give it time. Lots of time. Mine wasn’t okay with it at first, either – it took him 6 months before I could pick him up, and another 2 years before he’d let me do nail trims without wrapping him in an afghan and pulling his legs out of the holes.